Alcohol-related Deaths (Lothian)

Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 2 October 2024.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Lorna Slater Lorna Slater Green

To ask the Scottish Government how many alcohol-related deaths were reported in the Lothian region in the last year for which data is available. (S6O-03790)

Photo of Jenni Minto Jenni Minto Scottish National Party

The number of alcohol-specific deaths in 2023 was published by National Records of Scotland on 10 September 2024. In the NHS Lothian health board area, there were 163 alcohol-specific deaths in 2023—an increase of 10 deaths from the 153 deaths that were reported in 2022.

Photo of Lorna Slater Lorna Slater Green

I am sure that the minister will agree that that is too many.

In the most recent Scottish budget, the Scottish Greens secured a commitment that the Scottish Government would consider the reintroduction of a public health supplement, which would be a small surcharge on the non-domestic rates for large retailers that sell alcohol and tobacco, in recognition of the harm that those products can cause and the cost to the public purse of treating those harms. Research by the Fraser of Allander Institute that was commissioned by Alcohol Focus Scotland has found that a public health levy could raise approximately £57 million of additional funding for public services. Does the minister agree that we cannot pass up the chance to invest tens of millions of pounds more in addiction services through a public health levy?

Photo of Jenni Minto Jenni Minto Scottish National Party

I agree with Lorna Slater that one death due to alcohol is one too many, and I send my sincerest heartfelt apologies to the families who have been impacted by those deaths.

A public health levy is still under consideration by the Scottish Government, and I point out that the minimum unit price of alcohol has increased this week.

Photo of Liam McArthur Liam McArthur Liberal Democrat

A number of members would like to ask supplementary questions. I will try to get in as many as I can, but brevity will be required.

Photo of Clare Adamson Clare Adamson Scottish National Party

Will the minister provide further information on the implementation of the minimum unit price increase and how it is anticipated that it will help to reduce alcohol harm?

Photo of Jenni Minto Jenni Minto Scottish National Party

The Scottish Government has engaged broadly with key business associations and retailer groups to ensure maximum awareness of the minimum unit price of alcohol increasing to 65p from 30 September. We have collaborated with trade bodies and industry representatives to produce a variety of materials for retailers to use in their stores to inform customers and raise awareness of the price increase. We have also co-funded guidance for retailers that has been produced by the Scottish Grocers Federation.

Our business and regulatory impact assessment, which was published earlier this year and was based on modelling that was undertaken by the University of Sheffield, set out that, in the first year of the policy, the number of deaths from all causes was estimated to reduce by 60, compared with the control group with the MUP continuing at the same level in real terms when adjusted for inflation.

Photo of Sue Webber Sue Webber Conservative

The decision to close NHS Lothian’s life-saving alcohol-related brain damage unit has been paused while options are assessed. There is no other specific ARBD residential rehab unit in Scotland, and evidence shows that the treatment for people with ARBD in non-specialist units is often unsatisfactory.

On 4 July, the Scottish Government requested clarification on the function of the service to allow it to be reclassified as a specialist rehabilitation unit. That information has been provided—

Photo of Sue Webber Sue Webber Conservative

—but no response has been received. Minister, do you agree that the reclassification is crucial for funding, and will you seek to determine what is preventing the life-saving service from being assessed as a rehabilitation unit?

Photo of Jenni Minto Jenni Minto Scottish National Party

Sue Webber asked me a question on that issue a couple of weeks ago. I recognise that we are still waiting for a response, so I am very happy to engage with officials to understand the delays before getting back to her.

Photo of Carol Mochan Carol Mochan Labour

The minister will know that people in the most deprived areas are seven times more likely to end up in hospital due to alcohol-related conditions and that certain hospitals serve a disproportionate number of such areas. Is anything being done to provide extra support for those hospitals, specifically for accident and emergency departments, which are reportedly dealing with an increase in the number of people presenting who are at risk from serious alcohol harms?

Photo of Jenni Minto Jenni Minto Scottish National Party

I thank Carol Mochan for the question. I do not have specific information on that, but I remind the member that alcohol and drug partnerships have had record levels of funding this year. I will respond to the member’s question in writing.

Photo of Craig Hoy Craig Hoy Conservative

Everyone cares about alcohol deaths, and given the significant work of organisations such as the Portman Group and Community Alcohol Partnerships, which support local partnerships that reduce alcohol harm, particularly among children and young people, will the minister and the Government commit to listening carefully to the real concerns of the industry as it consults on new measures to restrict alcohol marketing and sponsorship?

Photo of Jenni Minto Jenni Minto Scottish National Party

As part of any consultation process, the Government is clear that we need to consult and engage with business as well as stakeholders, and that will be being done with regard to the issue.